China, Japan discuss trade

cctv.com 02-23-2006 08:30

Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai has met Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai. Analysts say Nikai's trip is an attempt to warm chilly political ties through economic cooperation.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao also met Nikai on Wednesday. The two discussed bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.

Nikai discussed economic and trade issues with Chinese Commerce Minister Bo Xilai. The closed-door talks lasted about two hours.

Nikai is in Beijing for a three-day official trip at the invitation of Bo Xilai.

One expert describes the current Sino-Japanese relations as "chilly on the political side, but hot in the economic field." He says Nikai's purpose is to melt the political coldness through closer economic ties. He also noted economic exchanges have already suffered.

Lin Xiaoguang, Research Fellow of CPC Party School said: "Japan has dropped from the first to the third in terms of foreign trade with China, after the European Union and the US. This is proof political coldness has hurt economics, and this is why Japan is trying to break the political impasse through economic cooperation."

Lin identified two things both sides should take into consideration in their negotiations. First, a genuine wish to develop healthy relations. And second, China and Japan will always be neighbors, so they must look to themselves to make any changes.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com